Hello everyone. I hope that I can get some help here. I want to know about how much it would cost, or what you need to have a home run on solar power. Are there any good books or websites that I might be able to visit to answer these questions. I am going to be building a new home and would like to see if solar power is for me. Can you run your whole house on solar power or do I need a gas stove and washer and dyer? Should it be off grid or not? Please any information you could provide would be very helpful. Thank you so much.  Jamie

jabiebus;

 

Depends on what part of the country you live in, check with the folks at FESC  LINK

they can help with your questions

Jamie,
An excellent goal would be a ZEH(Zero Energy Home). The easiest way to accomplish this is to be on the grid, where you are selling your extra power back to the utility company. Location is very important. Some utility companies will help you via rebates. Some won't. Check out BP Solar(Residential and Small Commercial Applications).

If you are in a cold location, you can also use Active Solar to heat water(via collectors) and use that hot water for your DHW and to heat your home.

Good Luck!

Hi Jamie

Take a look at LINK - the website has all the information you are looking for. You can read about the different Solar PV system designs and you will even be able to completely design your own solar electric system.

 

Krishna

LINK

You're in a much better position than many trying to do solar. You have the chance to make it so solar will really work if you design your house around it. Keep the square footage down, insulate, use passive solar and be careful who you pick for a contractor. I really think an architect that's well versed in this stuff is worth his weight in oil. Solar hot water works well in the Northeast but don't plan on heating your house with it unless you do something like radiantec did on their test house in VT. It all gets back to money and solar costs more to begin with.